According to Joe Foday said:

"Mr. Darboe’s own record of dealing with fellow opposition leaders has come home to roost. In previous National Assembly elections, Mr. Sallah called for tactical alliance among the opposition parties to win more seats for a strong challenge to the ruling APRC in the legislature. In one instance at least, UPD left Hon. Jatta to his own resources against the ruling APRC opponent but kept throwing a spoiler at Mr. Sallah thus giving sense-defying advantage to Yahya Jammeh’s candidate. Had Darboe made high-minded investment in graciousness in the past, the opposition would have a bigger voice with Mr. Sallah in the National Assembly and he would have much easier time convincing PDOIS that he is a reliable national leader and not a petty partisan. He has never condemned or renounced all the lies and fictitious innuendoes that kept erupting out of UDP circles to discredit PDOIS and particularly, Mr. Sallah."

First of all, Foday needs to put his above comment in context and only then will he be genuine.  Halifa Sallah cannot have his cake and eat it too!  He was the one who did not think UDP was worhty of going into a coalition with in the presidential elections but he wants UDP to work with him so that he can secure his NA seat.  This is preposterous.  If you want to form a tactical alliance you have to take a comprehensive look at it not a selfish way of doing it.  All Halifa was interested in is to safe his own seat so that he can be the most "relevant" politician in the oposition.  I can only say that this view is self-defeating.  Halifa and no one else will be as relevant in Gambia and its development as long as Jammeh is at the helm.  Defeating Jammeh as never his priority then and it seem it still is not his priority.  Halifa needs to reconsider his strategy.

Ansu

Joe Said:
>>
Suntou, for starters, please do not worry about the viability of the STGDP.  We have been here in excess of a decade and you will come to find out that we will be here long after you are gone.  Now, if you are interested in a united coalition to defeat Yaya, below is the cornerstone of what Foday stated, as to what your party and party leader must do for that to happen.  Incidentally, the same thing that Gambians have been asking for, for the last ten years.  Foday outlined both the strengths and shortcomings of the UDP, PDOIS, and NRP, yet, you only see that of your enemy.  If you agree with Foday below, how come we are still here dealing with an impasse on our quest for a united coalition?  What you and your camp have been doing have been done by others before you and it got us zilch.  That is the reason why folks are not jumping in the discussion about a united opposition, for everything that is being said now by sober minds have already been said by many, including Foday's.  You saw that Musa signed his name at the end of his write up.  If it was that of the STGDP, don't you think you will also see the letters STGDP there?  There is nothing baffling about that and there is nothing confusing about that.  Personally, I will table for the STGDP to conclude discussion on a united coalition and to focus on finding an alternative after 2011.  If the parties or their leadership are interested in a united coalition, our doors are open.  However, we are done running and chasing after folks.  Below is Foday's thoughts about a coalition.

"In this election cycle, Mr. Darboe is refusing to entertain any suggestion of a primary. By all means he should for reasons highlighted above. Given the share of mass support each opposition leader enjoys in the country, he is entitled to insist on being the flag bearer. Nothing is undemocratic about it. The fact that even as he reaches out to the others he stands firmly his ground on the question of leadership makes him the leader he never proved to be."

"Beyond the solitary question of flag bearer, he must unconditionally put all  other cards on the table. He needs to make three major concessions to demonstrate that he is willing to make real sacrifices for the nation in the interest of alliance. He needs to unilaterally announce that if elected president on the united opposition ticket, he will serve only one term of five years to end our national nightmare. He needs to publicly give all the assurances that the key positions in the transition government from vice president, foreign minister, justice minister, finance minister, interior minister and others will be given to alliance partners at a unity conference. He needs to also publicly declare that the Shadow Cabinet of the Alliance will come up with a comprehensive bill of democratic reforms as the campaign platform. These reforms must include: writing a new Constitution to ensure full and properSeparation of Powers and term limit for the President, realigning the state institutions in conformity with open and transparent government, and restructuring the economy. The policy and institutional reform aspects of the 2006 MoU and Agenda 2011 are great starting points and he needs to say so to reassure fellow opposition leaders that he is reaching out in good faith and not taking them for a ride. He also needs to caution his supporters to cease and desist from using crude and gratuitous language in reference to his fellow opposition leaders. If he will insist on being the leader he must act like one both publicly and privately."

"Mr. Darboe’s own record of dealing with fellow opposition leaders has come home to roost. In previous National Assembly elections, Mr. Sallah called for tactical alliance among the opposition parties to win more seats for a strong challenge to the ruling APRC in the legislature. In one instance at least, UPD left Hon. Jatta to his own resources against the ruling APRC opponent but kept throwing a spoiler at Mr. Sallah thus giving sense-defying advantage to Yahya Jammeh’s candidate. Had Darboe made high-minded investment in graciousness in the past, the opposition would have a bigger voice with Mr. Sallah in the National Assembly and he would have much easier time convincing PDOIS that he is a reliable national leader and not a petty partisan. He has never condemned or renounced all the lies and fictitious innuendoes that kept erupting out of UDP circles to discredit PDOIS and particularly, Mr. Sallah."

Joe

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